Sexual Assault Allegation Against Maine Senate Candidate

Graham Platner, a Democratic Senate candidate from Maine, has been accused of sexual assault by his former girlfriend, Jenny Racicot, as reported by Politico.

Racicot, 41, claims that five years ago, after an on-and-off relationship, Platner entered her home uninvited while intoxicated and forced himself on her, ignoring her protests. “I remember him grabbing my pelvis and coming at me very forcefully,” she recalled. “I remember thinking, ‘This isn’t my choice anymore.’

During the alleged incident, Racicot stated that Platner ejaculated inside her against her will, and she had not been using birth control at the time.

In response, Platner issued a statement to Politico, categorically denying the allegations and describing them as “troubling, serious, and false.”

Following the release of the article, Platner shared a video on his Senate campaign’s X account, asserting that the claims are false and mentioning that he and his team are contemplating their next steps.

Racicot had previously spoken with the New York Times about her experiences with Platner, noting that he had cut off contact following a disturbing incident where he appeared at her home drunk. Although she did not delve into specifics, she described his behavior as “reckless.”

“When I saw old comments online that he made, I recognized his version of what I had experienced,” she mentioned to the Times.

She expressed that her reluctance to disclose the assault stemmed from a fear of being labeled a rape victim, even while identifying herself as a Democrat who agrees with many of Platner’s policies.

Politico also spoke to a man who had started dating Racicot after the allegations became public, explored her interactions with a therapist regarding her decision to speak out, and looked into her conversations with an acquaintance who had cautioned her about her relationship with Platner.